AIFS Abroad Reviews

My 6 months in Limerick were nothing short of extraordinary. Traveling in Ireland and to other European cities was a breeze -- everyone was so helpful and friendly. The AIFS staff coordinated excellent trips and provided all the support that you'd need to study abroad. 10 out of 10!

On my first day of college, I told myself I would study abroad in Russia. I went the summer before I graduated earning my last credits towards my B.A. I didn't know any Russian before going, other than the formal hello/good bye. But with AIFS and the St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, my 5-week excursion helped me develop some great language skills! The courses were interesting and incorporated frequent trips to cultural sites, a welcomed bonus to the many trips provided under the AIFS program. Each day we had tons of opportunities to speak Russian with our fellow classmates and native Russians. In the short summer term, I saw all the major sights in St. Petersburg and several great spots in Moscow. My only wish is that I went for a full semester!

My semester in Florence was one of the best experiences of my college career! The classes I got to take through the AIFS were extremely interesting. Learning about art history and then being able to actually visit the sites was incredible. One of the best perks compared to other programs is the meal plan. They set you up with fantastic restaurants that you normally would not go to on a regular basis - friends on other programs were cooking rice in their apartments! The apartments are all in central locations in the city. I lucked out and mine was right near the Ponte Vecchio and 1 minute from school - how much better can it get! I would recommend this program hands down to anyone looking to study abroad. AIFS is fantastic!

First of all, studying abroad in Istanbul is such a unique experience. If I didn't go on this program I don't think I ever would have had the opportunity to travel and live in Turkey for a summer. I would suggest this program to someone who is really looking for a one of a kind experience. Istanbul is such a breathtakingly beautiful city and the views from the Bogazici campus are unreal. I had the best experience and so much of it has to do with AIFS. AIFS made sure that we were taken care of and they made us all feel so welcome and like we had a home away from home. The program was great, and they made it really hard for you to get homesick. AIFS in Istanbul is the best experience that I've ever had. Like every study abroad opportunity, there will be a ton of difficulties, but that's all a part of the experience--cherish every moment!

The people were great!! The shopping was amazing!! The food was to die for and worth every minute of the flight... It was the first time I've ever been out of the country but I still felt at home. You're so close to many different cities which are a train ride or quick flight away. If you only take one class, which I did, you will have plenty of time to explore the city! I took a renaissance class where we visited the Vatican for class as well as the pantheon among many other amazing sights. Bring comfortable shoes and try the bruschetta!

My semester abroad in Florence was by far my favorite semester of college. The program was fun, flexible and filled with great people from the other students to the staff. I would absolutely recommend the AIFS Study Abroad Programs at Richmond in Florence to anyone considering studying abroad in Italy!

When I first arrived in Italy I was extremely excited, nervous and worried thinking the worst because I had never left the United States before. But after a while I got to meet the other students and the staff and I can honestly say that this experience has changed my life forever. I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to come to a country that I have wanted to visit since I was a little girl. I love being able to walk outside of my apartment and immediately be surrounded by art and history. Everyday you discover something new while exploring the streets of Florence. While here one of my favorite experience’s has been getting to know the family I live with. Being able to see an Italian family and how they interact with each other over the past few months has been a wonderful addition to this semester. I have a new opinion of family meals and have been given the chance to try many new foods while living with them. It was a great comfort to be able to talk with a family and get to know them each individually over the months. Their daughter Simona published her very first book “Secretum vitae” in October. It has been a great experience to witness the excitement of the family and to have the chance to be one of the first to read the book. The book is in Italian so I am slowly reading it and it is helping me learn Italian. I believe that every student should experience living in a home stay while studying abroad. When applying to the Richmond program we are warned not to create high expectations. I agree with this because when you get to Italy and experience Italian life you realize any expectations you could of came with were wrong. This is because Italy is different in a way you could never imagine.

AIFS Richmond in Rome is an absolutely wonderful program. The staff are friendly, inviting, and want to help you to have the best experience in Rome as possible. The location of the school is in the heart of the city, and my apartment arrangement was fantastic - it overlooked the Tiber River and was only feet away from the Roman Forum. There is no better way to experience and learn about history and art than to do it with AIF in Rome. Classes are taught mainly on site and not in classrooms, making learning so much more of an experience and adventure rather than a boring task.

I honestly could not have asked for a better experience studying abroad. I went to Prague with AIFS during the summer of 2010, and the six week program was everything I had hoped for and more. Not only did I have an incredible cultural experience, I came out with lifelong friends and a group of 22 people we all still fondly refer to as our "Prague Family."

During my time there, I took an art history class and a Central European history class. Both classes provided a different look at the city I was living in; history was academically challenging and the professor was phenomenal, while art history utilized an experiential teaching method with tours of museums, galleries, churches, and so forth. However, AIFS is a program that balances work and play perfectly, ensuring that we experienced all of the culture that Prague has to offer. While in the city, we had the opportunity to partake in trips to historical cafes, tours of the city and castles, etc. Zdenek Benes, a.k.a. "Z," who accompanied us on our travel excursions and led our tours, is the most knowledgeable man I may have ever met. He knows all there is to know about Prague and enriched our experience very much!
Honestly, all of the staff at AIFS Prague are incredibly helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. The excursions planned by the staff were exceptional; we met in London, traveled through Moravia (historical Czech wine country), visited Krakow and Auchswitz, and went to Vienna. In each location, our itineraries balanced planned activities with free time to explore, and these trips were unbelievably fun. I think our travel opportunities were very special, as I know many other programs don't provide as many changes to explore Europe.

My advice for anyone considering traveling to Prague through AIFS:
First, go on as many excusions as possible! I was fortunate enough to be able to go on all of them, and am so thankful. These are when the group bonds the most, and you get to experience places that you may never have a chance to visit otherwise. I know that people who missed out on them were disappointed. Second, get to know the staff. (Especially Z and Jana, if they're still there!) They're there to help you in any situation, and you want to be comfortable with them. Take it from someone who had to go to a doctor, who spoke no English, while in Prague- you want the staff as backup when you're in a pickle. Third, learn basic phrases and try to use the language as much as possible. This not only makes it easier to navigate the city and interact with the locals, but the locals really appreciate it. Even if you're terrible, the mere fact that you respect their language and don't assume they speak English is good. Fourth, take public transportation. The metro is fantastic in Prague and AIFS gives you a pass! And finally, eat the goulash. Every day.

Bottom line: Go to Prague with AIFS. It will be the best decision you ever make.

Everyone was nice, helpful and fun. I made friends amazing friends and had the best 4 months of my life. I had class Monday - Thurs and used the weekends to travel. The food in Rome is absolutely amazing and this program includes so much!!

I would go back in a heart beat!!